I'd love to hear about how you developed the connector.
Ooo, yea the connector, that was tough! We have a proprietary design there so we can't share everything but I will include some info on the connector in the next posts of this blog series :).
Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
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Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#32You need to put this through UL, FCC, CE and TUV testing before selling it. Depending on where you intend to sell it you might need to pay for acceptance of the above certificates. For example, Brazil has it's own certifications but they will accept CE for a fee, etc. Have you gone through compliance testing?
You don't need to do FCC testing if you don't have an oscillator.
This device should have a switching regulator in order to manage the variable voltage coming out of the battery to then power the phone, which means FCC testing is required.
Generally speaking testing labs will run a series of common tests that satisfy the various regulatory agencies. In other words, you don't have to run four separate sets of tests to obtain UL, FCC, CE and TUV. I've done this dozens of times over the years.
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#33As a hardware developer, I'm surprised you actually bought a 3d printer. I found that Shapeways and Materialise work really well, and the quality of their SLS prints is basically impossible to match using a desktop FDM printer. Plus, there is no fuss: upload a model, click "order" and get your print in a couple of days. I'm really interested in the next chapters, especially about dealing with manufacturers, working o…
Shapeways or Materialise get quite expensive if you have many models to print. I 3D-printed a hardware prototype on my own recently. The cost was $5 in materials versus $40 for Shapeways.
I would still go the latter route if you have only a few prototypes to print as there is a learning curve in finding the right print temperature, time needed to sand down and refine the parts, etc.
And of course, there's nothing more exciting than, "Right here, right now."
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#34As a hardware developer, I'm surprised you actually bought a 3d printer. I found that Shapeways and Materialise work really well, and the quality of their SLS prints is basically impossible to match using a desktop FDM printer. Plus, there is no fuss: upload a model, click "order" and get your print in a couple of days. I'm really interested in the next chapters, especially about dealing with manufacturers, working o…
Hey jwr! We found that buying a 3D printer was essential . They only cost a few hundred dollars and instead of getting a piece for $50 in a couple days, we can print something for a couple dollars in a few hours. For testing the final design, we still use 3D print services to get really nice prints. But for the initial iteration it's nice to do it as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Sidenote: We also rigged up a s…
Interesting — I found that given the amount of stuff that I actually needed printed, I am still below the cost of a decent-quality 3D printer. Also, I would not be able to print what I needed with a desktop FDM anyway, and I figured I will save time by not having to fiddle with 3D printers myself (usually the cheaper the printer, the more fiddling is required).
So, that's interesting that you found otherwise! Please definitely write more about that.
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#35Thanks for writing this up, and I look forward to more!
My first company did hardware, and it was kind of an awful experience, and I swore to never do another hardware company. I got burned out from sourcing things, dealing with revisions, and working with manufacturers through the language barrier. But, things look so much nicer ~12 years later, and there are several products I wish existed that I think would have a solid niche market. But, it's still pretty intimidating.
Also, I love the connector. The case is a bit weird, though, with seemingly exposed battery? But, I'm not the target market, anyway (I have an Android device).
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#36Thanks for writing this up, and I look forward to more! My first company did hardware, and it was kind of an awful experience, and I swore to never do another hardware company. I got burned out from sourcing things, dealing with revisions, and working with manufacturers through the language barrier. But, things look so much nicer ~12 years later, and there are several products I wish existed that I think would have a…
Thanks!
Yea, as I said in the post, I think it's drastically easier to start a hardware company now vs 10 years ago. And it's still pretty hard, ha! So I can just imagine what you went through.
Yep, the battery is "exposed" in that we don't have a cover over the battery. But each battery does have protection.
And you aren't the target market, yet! Making cases for just iPhone made things easier, but we are hoping to expand to the most popular Android phones.
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#37Cheers and best luck to you!
Once I upgrade to the 7, I will be buying one of your cases. You've solved all the issues I hated about previous battery cases, which actually had me go back just a "normal" slim leather case.
I.e. no lip, and that I don't have to tether my phone back to the wall when I'm charging it.
Additionally, I believe this will solve the issues I've had with lighting connector wear.
I'm very excited to read about your alibaba connections and sourcing however.
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
Hey jwr! We found that buying a 3D printer was essential . They only cost a few hundred dollars and instead of getting a piece for $50 in a couple days, we can print something for a couple dollars in a few hours. For testing the final design, we still use 3D print services to get really nice prints. But for the initial iteration it's nice to do it as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Sidenote: We also rigged up a s…
Interesting — I found that given the amount of stuff that I actually needed printed, I am still below the cost of a decent-quality 3D printer. Also, I would not be able to print what I needed with a desktop FDM anyway, and I figured I will save time by not having to fiddle with 3D printers myself (usually the cheaper the printer, the more fiddling is required). So, that's interesting that you found otherwise! Please…
Yea, so I think scale, both in volume and in number, is a huge variable.
Our cases are relatively small so they can be printed in a couple hours. And during the development phase, we are going through hundreds of prototypes. (The fit has to be just right, so if a part is 5% off, we scrap it and reprint.)
Also, I love that you mention the fiddling as an annoyance. My co-founder loves fiddling w/ 3D printers so outsourcing all of our printing would take away that hobby :).
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#39Cheers and best luck to you! Once I upgrade to the 7, I will be buying one of your cases. You've solved all the issues I hated about previous battery cases, which actually had me go back just a "normal" slim leather case. I.e. no lip, and that I don't have to tether my phone back to the wall when I'm charging it. Additionally, I believe this will solve the issues I've had with lighting connector wear. I'm very excite…
Thanks for the kind words yial!
We've found that a big reason people upgrade is due to a failing battery. So if that's why you are upgrading, I would just save $$ and get CoBattery now ;).
Re: Starting a Hardware Company with $60K
#40Good effort, but the "battery" part seems like it is still in need of some attention. Developing a good relationship with a reliable cell manufacturer, and staying on top of quality control issues, is going to consume your life. Also, get UL certified, or you're wasting your time.
Thanks jpm_sd! So for the battery, we are actually using a modified version of an older Samsung battery (not the Note 7 haha). That's something that we didn't want to reinvent. So we are working with a factory who has made these batteries in the past. I didn't include more about the battery in this post. Is that something you'd enjoy reading more about?
Definitely want to hear about all aspects of battery sourcing.